Volume 15- Issue 11- November
The Road Map
Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
Sturgis names VanDewater new Chief of Police tive Institute, through the State Law Enforcement Academy as well as through the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement’s Rural Executive Management Institute.
Photo Credit: Deb Holland Meade County Times
Via the City of Sturgis: Newly named Chief VanDewater has more than seventeen years of law enforcement experience in both county and municipal agencies in South Dakota. He started his law enforcement career as a reserve officer in Hot Springs. He worked for two years with the City of Edgemont and then served five years as Deputy Sheriff for the Fall River Sheriff’s Office. VanDewater started with the City of Sturgis in November 2006 as a patrol officer. He served as a patrol sergeant and lieutenant. For the past three years Geody has served the community as the Assistant Chief of Police. VanDewater has earned the department’s Terry Williams Award. He has received certificates from the Chief Execu-
VanDewater said, “Chief Bush has done a fantastic job and I am honored to have been selected to be the next Chief of the Sturgis Police Department. The Department has amazing officers who go above and beyond to serve our community. I am looking forward to getting out and engaging more with the community.”
City Manager Daniel Ainslie stated, “I have worked with Geody in his capacity as Assistant Chief. I am very confident in Geody’s ability to lead the Sturgis Police Department. I know that Geody will provide the leadership necessary for the Sturgis Police Department to continue to provide the safe, effective community policing that our residents expect.”
Ward 4 Councilperson and former law enforcement professional Adam Martin commented, “Geody’s years of law enforcement experience and his commitment to the community of Sturgis make him the natural choice to replace Chief Bush. Geody’s leadership within the Department has proven to be a strong asset for our community.
The Council and I are excited as he takes on this new role.”
VanDewater and his wife Jayme live and work in the Sturgis community and have two children, Jarrod and Kaitie. As Assistant Chief, he has partnered closely with the local non -profit Action for the Betterment of the Community. VanDewater is an avid mountain bike rider and volunteers personally for the Black Hills Trails organization. VanDewater’s candidacy for Chief is also highly recommended by various stakeholders within the Sturgis community. The City would like to extend special thanks to Councilor Martin, Chief Pat Rotert of the Spearfish Police Department, Kasey Sorensen with the Meade County State Attorney’s office, and Tammy Brock with the local non-profit agency Crisis Intervention Shelter Service (CISS) for their assistance in the selection process.
Thank you, Chief Bush, for all your years of service and congratulations on your promotion, Chief VanDewater. We look forward to working with you!